The report noted, however, hat the senator is just openly for the legalization of the active ingredient found in marijuana-cannabidiol-and not the entire plant itself. He explained the difference between legalizing marijuana and just a certain ingredient by saying that while heroin and opium poppy are considered illegal, the use of morphine drug created from opium poppy is not banned as long as it is administered under medical supervision.

Sotto, who formerly headed the Dangerous Drugs Board, earlier said legalizing marijuana even for medical purposes should not be allowed because it might worsen the problem of illegal drugs in the Philippines.